BUG: C2143 When Initializing Static Member in Class Template

• The Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE) included with: Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 2.0 and 2.1

SYMPTOMS

When initializing a static data member that has a user-defined type in a class template, the compiler generates the following error message on the line after the last line of code:

   Error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before 'newline'

RESOLUTION

To work around the problem, specify a specialized instance for particular data types when initializing the static data member -- as in the "Sample Code" section in this article.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, version 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The following code can be used to reproduce the problem and work around the problem.

Sample Code

/* Compile options needed: /c
*/

  int element;

template <class T1> class AA {

  public:
    static MyType m_mytype;

template <class T1> MyType AA<T1>::m_mytype = {0};

// Uncomment the following line to work around the problem.
// MyType AA<double>::m_mytype = {0};

MyType mytype = mydouble.m_mytype;